Indian batter Tilak Varma said he is ready to perform whatever role the team needs him to do in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. In the first five matches of the tournament, Varma batted at one drop for the side. On Thursday, he was asked to do a different role by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, and he delivered.
Batting at number six, Varma added the finishing touches, scoring a brilliant cameo of 44 runs off just 16 balls against Zimbabwe. The left-hander smashed three fours and four maximums in his blistering knock. Thus, he played an instrumental role in helping India post an above-par score of 256 runs on the board.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, “I always say that whatever team needs, I am up for it. I have done the same role since last four years in IPL for Mumbai Indians and also in few games for the Indian team, so I am up for it. I can adjust. I was just waiting for one innings, so I am really grateful to God for that it has come at the right time. I am pretty confident now that going forward I can win the games for the team.”
Varma revealed that they wanted to go into the match with a good mindset after the loss against South Africa.
“We discussed yesterday, just before the game, we will go with a good mindset. We saw our past one year of T20 cricket – how we played. So, after seeing that video, everyone got confidence. That’s what we discussed as a team, that we just enjoy, put the smile on and go all out.”
Meanwhile, the left-hander praised Sanju Samson for giving a brisk start to the team. Samson, who replaced Rinku Singh in playing XI, scored 24 runs off just 15 balls.
“100%, we are just looking for this. I would not say, as individuals we are looking for the runs. But, when openers give a good start, it gives confidence to No. 3, 4 and 5. Sanju started brilliantly this innings. Also, we discussed that, whatever the situation, even if we are 3-4 wickets down in the powerplay, we bat with the same rhythm. We want to see fear in opposition bowlers. Guys are ready to hit each and every ball.
India will take on the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday in another do-or-die contest.
